Conveyor belt

ABSTRACT

Conveyor belt comprising a series of elongated support members or links for supporting goods to be transported, which links extend transverse to the conveyor belt, and a series of connection rods for connection the links one to the other, the links being built up from a number of, particularly elongated, modules, which at their longitudinal ends have been provided with coupling means that inter-engage for snug-fitting coupling of the modules one to the other and forming a rotary-fixed connection in the plane of the belt.

The invention relates to a conveyor belt, particularly a conveyor belt adapted for traversing bends in the horizontal and the vertical plane and for instance having an open carrying structure.

Such conveyor belts are predominantly used in the food industry, particularly in so-called spiral towers, for cooling or heating, rising (proving) etc., in which the conveyor belt traverses a spiral-shaped path, engaged at its inside for driving.

Said conveyor belts among other things have to be easy to clean, and to that end often have an open structure. They have been built up from elongated, transversely oriented synthetic support parts or links, having a kind of zig-zag shape, which in the direction of the conveyor belt extend into each other, and are connected there by means of connection rods.

The portions of the links situated at the outer longitudinal edges of the conveyor belt are loaded by tensile forces and are subjected to wear, as a result of which the links have to be regularly replaced. The material of the links has indeed been adapted to this as well as can be expected, but concessions have to be made in connection with the weight of the belt as a whole.

It is known to use links that have been built up from a number of modules placed adjacently and (square jointed or butt) against each other. Considerable wear may occur here at the location of the contact locations between the modules. Moreover the course of the belt may become disturbed as a result of this. In order to prevent running apart, such modules have to be firmly secured to the connection rods, which is difficult and requires particular care.

It is an object of the invention to improve on this.

It is another object of the invention to provide a conveyor belt of the aforementioned type which less often needs maintenance and repairs.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a conveyor belt of the aforementioned type which is easy to repair.

In order to achieve one of these objects, the invention from one aspect provides a conveyor belt comprising a series of elongated support members or links for supporting goods to be transported, which links extend transverse to the conveyor belt, and a series of connection rods for connecting the links one to the other, the links being built up from a number of, particularly elongated, modules, which at their longitudinal ends have been provided with coupling means that inter-engage for snug-fitting coupling of the modules one to the other and forming a rotary-fixed connection in the plane of the belt.

Due to said coupling the adjacent modules inter-engage and mutual displacement and rotation is counteracted and they form as it were one unit. An optimum transmission of forces in transverse direction can take place in the links thus built up.

Coupling the modules into links prior to connecting the links to each other can take place easily and in a controlled manner.

Preferably the coupling means are formed to be brought into engagement with each other according to a coupling direction that is perpendicular to the conveyance plane of the conveyor belt, the coupling means being continuous in coupling direction. As a result it is possible to couple the modules to each other in two coupling directions (from the top or from the bottom) and blind spots, in which dirt may accumulate, are prevented.

Preferably the coupling means extend over the full height of the link.

Preferably the coupling means connect to each other in a snugly fitting manner over a continuous contiguous area, preferably extending over the full height and length (in belt direction) of the coupling.

Preferably the coupling means comprise coupling surfaces that lie against each other and have been provided on both modules to be coupled to each other. Preferably the coupling surfaces are flat for enhancing the fit and the transfer of forces. It is furthermore preferred that the coupling surfaces are oriented with a normal having a directional component oriented in transverse direction of the belt.

Preferably the coupling means comprise several of such coupling surfaces, which—considered in belt direction—are spaced apart. As a result the coupling is made more rigid against bending in the plane of the belt.

Preferably the coupling surfaces comprise one or several surfaces inclined in belt direction and in transverse direction and/or a surface oriented in transverse direction.

In a preferred embodiment the coupling means form a dovetail joint, with which the coupling is optimally stable in the plane of the belt as well as about a centre line in the plane of the belt and parallel to the belt direction.

In a further embodiment the modules are provided with passages for a connection rod at the location of the coupling means.

Preferably the modules situated at the edges are provided with means for sideward confinement to the outside of the connection rod in question at that location, Movement to the outside of the edge modules away from the connection rod is not possible due to the (tensile) connection to the adjacent modules. The confinement means can be simple. Thus the integrity of the belt is safeguarded in a simple manner.

According to a further aspect of the invention, in the elongated links at least one of the modules situated at the edges of the belt conveyor is manufactured of a material different from the material of the other modules in the link in question.

Thus the material used in the belt is adapted to the local function: the parts susceptible to wear may for instance be manufactured of a wear-resistant material or an impact-resistant material, and other parts as light as possible, as a result of which the forces exerted on the belt, also those exerted on the structure of the device in which the belt has been accommodated, can remain limited, which in turn is advantageous to limiting the wear and/or rupture and/or damage.

Preferably in the elongated links both of the modules situated at the edges of the belt conveyor are manufactured of a material different from the material of the other modules in the link in question.

In one embodiment the modules situated at the edge are manufactured of a relatively wear-resistant and sufficiently strong synthetic material, such as POM.

In a further embodiment the modules situated between the edge modules are manufactured of a relatively cheap synthetic material, such a polypropylene.

The invention further provides a device for subjecting goods, particularly bakery goods, to a treatment, comprising a conveyor belt according to the invention.

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a part of the conveyor belt according to the invention, in a curved path;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the belt of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section according to III-III in FIG. 2.

The conveyor belt 1 shown in FIG. 1, largely corresponds to the one shown in applicant's European patent application 90.202922 and has been laid on guides 3. The belt has been built up from transversely oriented links 4, that are connected to each other by connection rods 20. At the inside radius the links 4 may run into a permanent side guide 2 (not shown) or be propelled by a driven drum.

The links 4 are substantially zig-zag shaped, having “hills” 5 with accommodation spaces 9 situated in between them and “valleys” 6 with accommodation spaces 8 situated in between them, the “valleys” 6 extending in the accommodation spaces 9 of a next link 4 and the “hills” 5 in the accommodation spaces 8 thereof. The “hills” and “valleys” 5 and 6 of a link are formed as a unity with each other from synthetic material and are connected to each other via bodies 7. The “hills” 5 are provided with a spacious passage 10 for a rod 20, and the “valleys” 6 are provided with a narrow passage 11 for a rod 20. In between the bodies 7 the “valleys” 6 have a circular cross-section, coaxial to the passages 11.

The links 4 are composed of an edge module 4 a, and edge module 4 b and one or more—depending on the desired belt width—intermediate modules 4 c. The edge module 4 a sits on the guide 3. The edge module 4 b also sits ion a guide 3 and is guided sideward or driven, respectively, by guide 2.

The edge modules 4 a and 4 b are manufactured of wear-resistant material such as POM. The modules 4 a and 4 b may possibly also have been made of different material, such as when only the modules 4 b are engaged for driving. The intermediate modules 4 c may be manufactured of cheap material, such a polypropylene.

The modules 4 a-4 c are coupled to each other by couplings 14, see FIGS. 2 and 3, The one module, for instance 4 c, has dovetailed protrusions 15 extending over the full height, which protrusions have slanting sides 18 and a surface 19 oriented in transverse direction, two surfaces 21 a,b oriented in transverse direction being present adjacent to the protrusion 15. The other module, for instance 4 a, at the opposite end has a continuing recess 16, having slanting sides 17 and a surface 20 oriented in transverse direction, formed correspondingly for a snug, tight fitting with protrusions 15, two surfaces 22 a,b oriented in transverse direction being at the recess 16. After the modules 4 a, 4 b and 4 c have been coupled, the surfaces 17-18, 21 a,b-22 a,b and 19-20 lie tightly against each other. The coupling here extends in width (longitudinal direction of the belt) and height over the entire area where the modules meet each other.

The modules thus already form one well-manageable unity, capable of absorbing tensile forces. Due to the dovetail the rigidity of the coupling 14 against bending in the horizontal and in the vertical plane can be large.

It can furthermore be seen that the passages 11 extend through the couplings 14. After the rods 20 have been passed through the passages 11, fitting yet axially movable, they are retained outwardly by pins 12 at both ends, and therefore confined, in the end portions 13 of the edge modules 4 a and 4 b. The modules cannot run apart due to the couplings between the modules. As a result of a frictional fitting of their coupling members the modules can be retained against mutual displacement in a direction perpendicular to the belt. The rod 20 as well can rule out such a movement due to snug fitting in the modules. 

1-20. (canceled)
 21. Conveyor belt comprising a series of elongated support members or links for supporting goods to be transported, which links extend transverse to the conveyor belt, and a series of connection rods for connecting the links one to the other, the links being built up from a number of, particularly elongated, modules, which at their longitudinal ends have been provided with coupling means that inter-engage for snug-fitting coupling of the modules one to the other and forming a rotary-fixed connection in the plane of the belt.
 22. Conveyor belt according to claim 21, the coupling means being formed to be brought into engagement with each other according to a coupling direction that is perpendicular to the conveyance plane of the conveyor belt, the coupling means being continuous in coupling direction.
 23. Conveyor belt according to claim 22, the coupling means extending over the full height of the link.
 24. Conveyor belt according to claim 21, the coupling means connecting to each other in a snugly fitting manner over a continuous contiguous area.
 25. Conveyor belt according to claim 24, the continuous contiguous area extending over the full height and length (in belt direction) of the coupling.
 26. Conveyor belt according to claim 21, the coupling means comprising coupling surfaces that lie against each other and have been provided on both modules to be coupled to each other.
 27. Conveyor belt according to claim 26, the coupling surfaces being flat for enhancing the fit and the transfer of forces,
 28. Conveyor belt according to claim 27, the coupling surfaces being oriented with a normal having a directional component oriented in transverse direction of the conveyor belt.
 29. Conveyor belt according to claim 28, the coupling means comprising several of such coupling surfaces, which—considered in belt direction—are spaced apart.
 30. Conveyor belt according to claim 28, the coupling surfaces comprising one or several surfaces inclined in conveyor belt direction and in transverse direction and/or a surface oriented in transverse direction.
 31. Conveyor belt according to claim 21, the coupling means forming a dovetail joint.
 32. Conveyor belt according to claim 21, at the location of the coupling means the modules being provided with passages for a connection rod.
 33. Conveyor belt according to claim 21, the modules situated at the edges being provided with means for sideward confinement to the outside of the connection rod in question at that location.
 34. Conveyor belt according to claim 21, in the elongated links at least one of the modules situated at the edges of the belt conveyor being manufactured of a material different from the material of the other modules in the link in question.
 35. Conveyor belt according to claim 34, in the elongated links both of the different from the material of the other modules in the link in question.
 36. Conveyor belt according to claim 34, the modules situated at the edge being manufactured of a relatively wear-resistant strong synthetic material.
 37. Conveyor belt according to claim 34, the modules situated between the edge modules being manufactured of a relatively cheap synthetic material.
 38. Conveyor belt comprising a series of elongated links for supporting the goods to be transported, which links extend transverse to the belt, and a series of connection rods for connecting the links one to the other, the links being built up from a number of elongated modules, which at their longitudinal ends have been provided with coupling means for coupling the modules one to the other, the coupling means being formed to be brought into engagement with each other according to a coupling direction perpendicular to the conveyance plane of the conveyor belt, the coupling means being continuous in coupling direction.
 39. Conveyor belt comprising a series of elongated support members or links for supporting goods to be transported, which links extend transverse to the belt, and a series of connection rods for connecting the links one to the other, the links being built up from a number of elongated modules, which at their longitudinal ends have been provided with coupling means for coupling the modules one to the other, in the elongated links at least one of the modules situated at the edges of the belt conveyor being manufactured of a material different from the material of the other modules In the link in question 